Park Jung-jin

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Park Jung-jin (born May 27, 1976 in Cheongju, South Korea) is a left-handed relief pitcher who played for the Hanwha Eagles in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and later became a coach for the team in 2020. He made his KBO debut in 1999 with Hanwha. By the end of the 2016 season, his career totals included a 42–41 win–loss record, a 4.59 ERA, 34 saves and 671 strikeouts.

As a teenager, Park played for Korea’s national under-18 team at the 1994 World Junior Baseball Championship in Brandon, Manitoba, helping Korea win its second world junior title alongside teammates like Lee Seung-Yeop and Kim Sun-Woo. He was expected to be a top pick in the 1995 KBO draft but chose to attend Yonsei University, where he played for four years and kept earning spots on Korea’s national teams.

Park was drafted in the first round by the Hanwha Eagles in 1999. His rookie season was tough, posting an 8.03 ERA. From 2000 to 2002 he went 5–5 with a 6.37 ERA. In 2003 he pitched 100.1 innings, going 6–3 with 3 saves and 11 holds, finishing with a 4.31 ERA as a flexible pitcher. In 2004 his form dipped again (5.51 ERA in 32.2 innings). After that season he left for mandatory military service. He returned in 2008 but spent much time in the farm system. After 2009, he survived roster cuts and entered 2010 spring training.

With Brad Thomas leaving, Park began the 2010 season as a left-handed specialist/long reliever. He posted a strong 1.65 ERA in May and June and appeared in 22 bullpen games. Injuries to other starters later moved Julio DePaula into the rotation, opening the closer role for Park.